SMJ / LNW station arrangements at Blisworth

[Barry Taylor]

Adrian's recent photo of the SMJ platforms at Blisworth has started me thinking about the precise nature of the station arrangements there. I know that in the 1950's (when I were a lad ! ) the station building on the roadside opposite the Blisworth Hotel was THE booking office - obviously the SMJ passenger service was no more by then, but it would seem that the booking office etc was a joint venture. There must have been facilities for the LNW before the SMJ came along in the 1860's - presumably in the existing LNW buildings which at that time must have had direct road access. (I've read somewhere that the LNW made up the road, previously just a lane, up from the main drag - later A43 where their first Blisworth station was located) Then along came the NBJR - and presumably constructed the station building that we all know opposite the hotel. There is my question really - was that building a joint venture from the start, connecting to the LNW platforms by the subway under the sidings and main line - or was it an NBJR station only ? Another possibility also suggests itself - did the NBJR have some small facilities of their own in the lower bit nearest their platforms, and the LNW have what we later considered the main booking office ? I have a very vague recollection of an interior view of the SMJ end of the building showing what might have been a small ticket window - must try and find it as it might be a clue.
Anyone have any info or further thoughts?
Barry

[Gary]

Sorry to go off topic here but on having a look at the Rushden Historic Transport Society site & they have the large enamelled station sign for Blisworth in their collection - it is visible in one of the pictures on the site. Will have to try to visit at some point to see if I can get a picture of it.

[Dave Hayward]

Just an update to the current situation at Blisworth, Oct 2009. I did a railway walk around the Blisworth area the other day and it is now very difficult to make out anything of where the SMJ headed off from the station area with luxuriant tree growth and roads.
Dave Hayward

[Andy Thompson]

Blisworth station site is a very poor relation of the Blisworth station I know from images i have seen. Bridge 1 is no more (although there is an image of it somewhere on the site)The new slip road down under the 'new' A43 is on the alignment of the SMJ down and round to Blisworth SMJ station has all gone. So has the shed which stood at the fork of the SMJ and the main line, by the old turn table. If it wasn't for the hotel, there'd only be the station masters house. A contact of mine (who worked at Blisworth telegraph office ) has a track layout plan of the whole site - I tried to take a snap of it - but didn't do it justice) The plan is on the site and gives you some idea of just what a large layout it was. 13 or 14 track s wide,, a big place. Go and visit my mates Tonys Blisworth site at http://www.blisworth.org.uk/images/ for more. Don't forget I have a little more info here at http://thesmjr.ning.com/page/blisworth-1

Andy

[Andy Thompson]

For a run of Blisworth images go to this address and use the next button to run through them
http://thesmjr.ning.com/photo/blisworth-lnwr-bridge/prev?context=la...
Andy